Oasis in the Desert (Arizona)

On a cold February morning, the Best kids rose out of bed before the sun rose in the sky. 

It was the morning after Valentine’s Day, and the Best kids we’re flying to the great state of Arizona. With their bags all packed, they were getting excited to explore the desert, but Frederick (the family’s resident philosopher) had some doubts. He wasn’t sure the Phoenix area could live up to the Orlando trip they took the previous year. While discussing their travel plans, he was once heard saying,

“Yeah… Arizona might be pretty good. Maybe.”

With that level of optimism, the kids piled into the car. Hugo and Edith were half asleep, but once they arrived at the airport, even Frederick perked up and was ready to fly across the country. Much to their disappointment, the airport was extremely busy. It seemed as if every person in Michigan had come to the airport at the exact same time. To check their bags, they waited in a lineup that curved around the entire airport like a string. Then, they waited to pass through security in a line that weaved back-and-forth like a snake. 

By the time the Best family arrived at their airport gate, they discovered that everyone else had already boarded the aircraft. They got on the airplane just minutes before the door closed! As they sat in their seats, they breathed a sigh of relief, and the jet engine lifted them up – away from all the chaos. As they passed through a ceiling of clouds, Edith (who was in the window seat) got everyone’s attention, “Look! I can see the sun coming up!”

The flight was three hours long, crossed two time zones, and flew in the opposite direction of the rising sun. The plane landed in Arizona at just 8:30 in the morning, but the hotel check-in wasn’t until 3 p.m.!

After retrieving their bags and their rental car, they decided to go for a second breakfast, and start exploring the area. They first took the obligatory drive up South Mountain Road. On the way up, the kids (and their mom) fell asleep while listening to a Harry Potter audiobook. They woke up and discovered an amazing view of Phoenix at Dobbins Lookout. Now it was 12 p.m. and they needed another activity.

The agreement (needed to avoid arguments) was to allow each person in the family to select an excursion on the trip. In an effort to curb a chaotic morning, they let their mom pick first. Everyone guessed she would pick the Desert Botanical Garden near Scottsdale and they were right.

Driving onto the facility was an incredible experience. The gardens are surrounded by Papago Park’s rugged rocks and hardy shrubs. The first thing the kids saw was an installation of colorful lemurs amid the bunches of exotic desert plants. As they entered past the ticket booth, they realized the entire grounds were peppered with gigantic animal sculptures made of bright orange, green, pink and blue plastic. They were an incredible sight to see and they made the gardens more fun for kids.

The Best crew continued to walk along the path, and spotted some incredible desert plants. Some were sharp and spiky, others were vibrant and beautiful. At one point, Hugo was chased by a bee that was collecting pollen from a patch of purple wildflowers. He held it together, but the bee gave him quite a fright. 

Toward the end of the experience, they stumbled upon a reflection pool. The area was so peaceful. It felt like an oasis. Not just an oasis from the hot desert sun, but an oasis from the hustle and bustle of daily life in Michigan. 

At the reflection pond, there was no homework to do, no toys to clean up, and no chores to tackle. There was just a warm sun, peaceful water, and a tiny hummingbird who came over to say hi. Her wings were fluttering so fast you couldn’t even see them, and yet, she seemed to glide over the glass-like water without a care in the world. It was the perfect remedy for a stressful journey. 

Finally, it was 3 p.m. – time for the Bests to check in to their hotel in Mesa.

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Berry Well (Arizona)

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Heaven's Cheddar (Vermont & The Adirondacks)